Originally Posted by
BikeArkansas
I will try to post a photo later, but I normally ride my Fuji Transonic with a 4 1/4" drop from the saddle to the top of the bar.
Originally Posted by
jon c.
I move my hand position around a lot so I never stay in the drops that long. Normally even if I think "I'll try it for a longer period", I just naturally end up moving. So yesterday I decided to remember to stay there for a five mile stretch. I was surprised at how much it really changes the muscle groups being used in the legs. My back and neck had no problem, but my thighs had a bit of burn I never experience otherwise.
A 4" drop is pretty good to begin. Riding in the drops should make a really big aero improvement just as long as you have your arms bent.
Too many people that say they ride in the drops a lot either have their bars high to behin with or ride with straight arms. In either case it's not aero. You'll also see people on the hoods with bent arms and flat backs that are more aero than other riders in the drops.
Since you got the burn sensation you are using muscle groups differently, which is good.